Rescue Mission 'Quick, But Thorough' Official Says

ROTA, Spain, Dec. 6, 2014 - The operation to rescue a U.S. hostage in Yemen
was quickly but thoroughly planned, a senior U.S. military official said here
today.

U.S. Special Operations forces were close to the Yemeni compound when al
Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula terrorists detected them and murdered American
Luke Somers and another Western hostage.

President Barack Obama approved the rescue attempt early Dec. 5, the official
said on background. Interagency officials had such confidence in the
intelligence that they unanimously recommended the rescue operation to the
president.

The Yemeni government approved the operation and gave its full support.

"There is no excuse for the brutality and inhumanity of groups like AQAP and
the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant," said Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "We will relentlessly seek to protect our
citizens and punish those who threaten us."

Military, law enforcement and intelligence specialists pinpointed where AQAP
was holding the hostages and the threat the terrorists posed to them.
Intelligence indicated AQAP planned to murder the hostages within 72 hours,
giving added impetus to the attempt.

"The time was short to plan the operation, but it was thorough, and balanced
the risks to the special operations forces," the official said on
background.

Mission Conducted in
Darkness

Under the cover of darkness, Special Operations forces infiltrated from CV-22
Ospreys near the remote compound in the Shabwah governate. The terrain was
difficult and illumination lacking. AQAP terrorists detected the special
operators as they began their final approach to the compound and they began
firing wildly at the Americans.

Military assets detected a terrorist entering the building where the hostages
were held and exited soon after. The terrorist had shot them, officials
said.

"There is zero possibility that the hostages were victims of cross fire," the
military official said. "This was an execution."

The special operators quickly overcame the terrorists and entered the
building and reached Somers and his fellow hostage. Both were still alive.

The special operators quickly moved them to the CV-22s and evacuated them to
the USS Makin Island. Surgeons and medics worked on the two men on the way to
the ship, but one died en route and the other on the operating table.

All told, the operation lasted about a half-hour, with the most difficult and
intense portion lasting about 10 minutes, officials said.

Six Terrorists Killed in
Operation

There were no injuries to any of the 40 U.S. special operators in the rescue
operation and no casualties to Yemeni civilians. Officials estimated the special
operators killed six AQAP terrorists.

Dempsey, who is hosting a USO tour of the base here, said all American
service members will keep the victims and families in their prayers and
thoughts. "We remain on watch for the nation," the chairman said.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the mission was a reminder to those who
wish Americans ill, that the United States will protect its citizens wherever
they are threatened.

"I commend the troops who undertook this dangerous mission," Hagel said in a
written statement. "Their service and valor are an inspiration to us all."